The Playhouse presents musical drama about the life of John and Pat Hume

Telling John Hume and his wife Pat’s story through the medium of musical theatre, Beyond Belief is the second part of a peacebuilding trilogy by The Playhouse, following the phenomenal success of The White Handkerchief, which premiered in the Guildhall on the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, on 30 January 2022.

The life of the esteemed peacemakers will be honoured in the new work written by Damian Gorman with original music from composer Brian O’Doherty and directed by Kieran Griffiths. The production also marks a partnership between The Playhouse and The John & Pat Hume Foundation, signifying their shared mission to promote leadership for positive change and social justice.

Kevin Murphy, Chief Executive of The Playhouse said,

“The difference that The Playhouse and The John & Pat Hume Foundation both make is that we bring people together to make meaningful change creatively, peacefully and with hope. We each strive to support positive changemakers, nurturing their creativity and confidence. In addition, when we work together the possibilities only grow and through this partnership we can contribute to sustaining peace in societies worldwide as well as here in our home city.”

Producer and Director of the production from The Playhouse Kieran Griffiths, added,

“While John Hume has been described as a “Titan”, a “Giant” and a “Hero” of peace-making and reconciliation, Beyond Belief, in its words and music, will reach for the man: the man who achieved all he did not glibly, without struggle or alone, but as a human being. In re-presenting John Hume, his life and his mission – a mission never fettered by shibboleth, dogma or fossilised tenet – Beyond Belief will seek to inspire those generations through words, music and song,”

As with The White Handkerchief, members of The Playhouse Music Theatre Company will make up the ensemble for the production. Launched in May 2021, The Playhouse Music Theatre Company offers world-class, conservatoire-level musical theatre training to talented theatre performers from Derry-Londonderry.

Alison McCrudden, Head of Literature, Drama and Dance at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said,

“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support this powerful new production from The Playhouse, thanks to The National Lottery players. The White Handkerchief and Beyond Belief are excellent examples of how the Arts have a unique and important part to play within legacy and peacebuilding. I’m also delighted that members of The Playhouse Music Theatre Company will once again take to the stage in this impressive and moving production which tells the story of two of our greatest peacemakers. Congratulations to all.”

For tickets to Beyond Belief- The Life and Mission of John Hume visit www.derryplayhouse.co.uk